Drag Race finalist says taking part in All Stars ‘ruined friendship’ with fellow queen
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Alexis Mateo, a finalist on RuPaul’s Drag Race, recently opened up about how her participation in All Stars 1 back in 2012 had a negative impact on her friendship with fellow Puerto Rican queen Yara Sofia. The pair, who shared a close bond during season three of the show, were paired up for the All Stars season, leading to strained relations between them.
The ill-fated pairing twist on All Stars 1 saw contestants being forced to compete in pairs, with joint eliminations adding an extra layer of pressure to the competition. Unfortunately, Alexis and Yara found themselves struggling to navigate this new format, which ultimately affected their friendship.
In a candid interview with Chanel Perrillo on the Shut Up Chanel podcast, Alexis revealed that the experience of All Stars 1 had a lasting impact on her relationship with Yara. “I feel All Stars 1 kinda ruined our friendship a little bit,” she admitted. “I don’t think we were ready for the format or the elimination process.”
The breaking point for the duo came in episode four of the season, when they landed in the bottom two alongside Jujubee and Raven. Forced to lip-sync for their lives, a twist allowed the non-lip-syncing queens to switch partners mid-performance. Yara pressed the button, resulting in her facing off against Alexis in the lip-sync battle, which she ultimately lost.
Following the controversial incident, social media was rife with speculation and blame, further straining Alexis and Yara’s friendship. “Any time Alexis was booked anywhere, Yara was booked too. It was difficult for us to separate the friendship from the TV screen,” Alexis explained.
The constant comparisons between the two queens during All Stars 1 led Alexis to make a deliberate choice when she returned for All Stars 5 in 2020. She ensured that she would be competing solo, free from any accusations of one queen carrying the other. Despite leaving the competition in fifth place, Alexis was determined to prove herself without any external influences affecting her performance.
Now, as rumors swirl about her potential participation in Canada’s Drag Race vs The World season two, Alexis remains focused on her career and personal growth. While her friendship with Yara may have faced challenges in the past, the two queens have since reconciled and continue to support each other in their respective endeavors.
As Drag Race fans eagerly await the premiere of All Stars 9, which is set to feature a mix of finalists, fan favorites, and returning queens, it’s clear that the drama and excitement of the competition show no signs of slowing down. With new challenges and opportunities on the horizon, Alexis Mateo is ready to showcase her talent and resilience once again on the international stage.
The legacy of All Stars 1 may have left a mark on Alexis and Yara’s friendship, but it also served as a valuable learning experience for both queens. As they continue to navigate the highs and lows of the drag world, their bond remains unbreakable, proving that true friendships can withstand even the toughest challenges thrown their way.
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